PC Magazine is probably the most influential magazine of its type in the world. A favorable review in that magazine can result in millions of dollars of sales for a software producer. Likewise, a bad review in PC Magazine can be the kiss of death.
Jan Ozer has written an article in February 8, 2005, edition of PC Magazine, entitled Branching Out: Your Family Tree. In the article, Ozer claims, "Here we look at the latest editions of three of the top genealogy programs, along with two interesting newcomers that produce multimedia-based living histories."
Sadly, the author's list of the "top genealogy programs" leaves out three of the most popular genealogy programs of today. Ozer selected a relatively unknown program as "the best" but neglected to review several even more popular programs with much more capability, including Roots Magic, The Master Genealogist, and Family Tree Legends.
I felt so strongly about this poor piece of journalism that I left a comment on the magazine's message board and signed my name to it.
You can read Jan Ozer's incomplete reviews at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1748062,00.asp
Dick,
I used to read PC Magazine cover to cover each issue. Over the past 3-5 years, I find that many of the reviews have the same quality as the one in your article. Namely, a small cross-section of products reviewed skin-deep. No real testing goes on any more.
Likewise, their columnists (especially John Dvorak, who used to be required reading for anyone in technology) are now mostly just writing to fill up space and have little original to say.
To every thing there is a season. PC Magazine's season has long since passed. I mourn its passing.
Posted by: Dino (all Dino, All the Time) | January 26, 2005 at 12:06 PM
Yes, I agree! PC Magazine did a very poor job of reviewing genealogy software this time!
Posted by: Carol | January 30, 2005 at 09:38 PM
It appears his comments concerning such programs are so far off base, it makes me wonder how we are to believe much of what we read. I continue to wonder why FTM appears to rate so highly when it is actually in the same league as PAF, which is seldom mentioned and is an excellent "free" genealogical program. My suggestion: Read "Smart Computing", a fine publication.
Posted by: Helen | January 30, 2005 at 10:27 PM
Review of these programs is fine and your opinon may be respected in several areas, but genealogy is not one of them. Several other programs are much more comprehensive, user friendly and provide what the individuals need to organize, store, print, have photo and video options and even publishing capability. Frankly the ratings provided in your reviews are highly inflated. Suggest you review some better programs, after reviewing what a genealogist needs and desires in a program, then make your comparisions and ratings.
Posted by: Phillip | January 30, 2005 at 11:27 PM
The first lesson we learn as genealogists is that you have to do the research. It's obvious that this reporter did not do that, and I sent an email saying just that.
Posted by: Pat Weisshaus | January 31, 2005 at 06:43 PM